REMEMBERING DAN MILLER

WHY IS 918 HEARD AVENUE IN AUGUSTA, GEORGIA SO SPECIAL? WHILE MANY AUGUSTA ADDRESSES WERE HOME TO FAMOUS RESIDENTS THE ADDRESS OF 918 HEARD AVENUE SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE LIST BECAUSE IT WAS THE CHILDHOOD HOME OF AN EXTRAORDINARY MAN NAMED DAN MILLER. DAN WAS AN IMMENSELY POPULAR TELEVISION ANCHORMAN IN NASHVILLE AND PAT SAJAK'S SIDEKICK ON A LATE NIGHT TV TALK SHOW, BUT THAT'S ONLY A FRAGMENT OF HOW HE WILL BE REMEMBERED BY FAMILY AND FRIENDS. STARTING IN THE 8TH GRADE DAN AND I SPENT A LIFETIME AS BEST FRIENDS THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, ARMY BASIC TRAINING, MARRIAGES, CHILDREN, DIVORCES, SUCCESSES AND DISAPPOINTMENTS. TO ME DAN WAS ATTICUS FINCH (TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD) WHEN IT CAME TO STRONG IDEALS AND DEVOTION TO HIS KIDS; SOMEWHAT LIKE RHETT BUTLER (GONE WITH THE WIND) TO HIS AMAZING WIFE KAREN; AND ALWAYS FULL OF FUNNY ONE LINERS (BLAZING SADDLES) FOR THE REST OF US TO ENJOY. HIS LOYALTY, COMPASSION, GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR AND ABILITY TO FIND GOOD IN OTHERS WON HIM FRIENDS FROM COAST TO COAST. I KNOW I CAN'T BE FEELING THE PAIN HIS IMMEDIATE FAMILY FEELS OVER HIS PASSING BUT ALL OF US WHO KNEW HIM WILL ALWAYS BE SAD THAT HE IS NO LONGER A PART OF OUR LIVES. GOODBYE OLD FRIEND. PAUL